A Reconstruction of Thomas Wolsey's Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace

Foyle, Jonathan

A Reconstruction of Thomas Wolsey's Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace

Resource type

Journal article

Creator (person)

Foyle, Jonathan

Date published

2002

Abstract

Hampton Court Palace was England's most significant great house of the early Tudor age. From 1515-c. 1521, Thomas Wolsey transformed a medieval manor, situate thirteen miles south-west of London on the north bank of the River Thames, into a palace deemed remarkable - even superlative - by contemporary observer including those cited above. Despite its acknowledged importance, little has been concluded about the form, context, and usage of Wolsey's palace in recent studies. This mainly due to its archaeological complexity, for, only seven years after its initial completion, Henry VIII assumed occupancy and began a process of extensive re-modelling which lasted at least ten years. William and Mary managed to rebuild half of this palace from 1689-94. Consequently, throughout the almost five hundred years since Wolsey's occupation, it has enjoyed a long history of development which has obscured its original form.